28.) You would have to go from being delivered from the wrath to come to being appointed unto wrath (Romans 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9, Ephesians 2:1-3, John 3:36, Romans 1:18, Ephesians 5:6, Colossians 3:6).

29.) You would have to be UNFORGIVEN of all trespasses (Acts 13:38-39, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 2:13, 3:13).

30.) You would have to be UNREDEEMED by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14).

31.) Christ would have to stop abiding faithful, contrary to 2 Timothy 2:11-13.

32.) You would have to be UNQUICKENED by Christ (Ephesians 2:1, Colossians 2:13).

33.) Christ would have to NOT confirm us unto the end, contrary to 1 Corinthians 1:6-8.

34.) God would have to stop performing a good work in us (Philippians 1:6, 2:12-13).

35.) Christ would have to cease to be with us (Matthew 28:20).

36.) Christ would have to leave us and forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6).

37.) The Lord would have to start imputing trespasses unto us (Romans 4:6-8).

38.) Where grace abounds, sin would have to much more abound (Romans 5:20-21).

39.) You would have to stop having peace with God (Romans 5:1).

40.) God would have to stop commending His love toward you (Romans 5:8).

41.) You would have to go from being an enemies of God to being a son of God back to being an enemie of God (Romans 5:10, John 1:12-13).

42.) You would have to be UNRECONCILED to God (Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21).

43.) Christ would have to cease to be in you (Ephesians 1:21-22, Colossians 1:27, 3:11).

44.) You would have to go from being blessed of the Father to being cursed into everlasting fire (Matthew 25:34, 25:41).

45.) You would have to go from being not known of God, to being known of God, to not ever being known of God (Matthew 7:23).

46.) The temple of God would have to be thrown into hell (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:21).

47.) You would have to NOT BE SAVED at the judgement seat of Christ, contrary to 1 Corinthians 3:15.

48.) You would have to be UNHEALED by Christ's stripes (Isaiah 53:5).

49.) You would be damned even though you believed (Mark 16:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:12).

50.) You would have to be UNCHOSEN to salvation by UNSANCTIFICATION of the Spirit even though you believed the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

1.) What is your "all authority" that you rebuke with with (Titus 2:15)? God promised to preserve all His inspired words in Isaiah 30:8, 40:8, 55:10-11; Psalms 12:6-7, 100:5, 117:2, 119:89, 138:2; John 10:35; Joshua 1:8; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Matthew 5:17-18, 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33. I know you profess that "the Bible" is your authority, but which one? God only wrote ONE Book. So is your authority the Old Latin copies, Old Syriac, Koine Greek mss of Antioch, Koine Greek mss of Alexandria/Egypt, the American Standard Version, New American Standard, New International Version, English Standard Version, or what is your authority? Mine is the King James Bible. I believe every word in it is the inspired word of God.

2.) Did you know that most all manuscript evidence agrees with the King James Bible? Did you know that the modern translations are based on, for the most part, only two manuscripts (Aleph and B) which contradict each other in 7,000 different places? Did you know that Aleph and B (two Egyptian manuscripts) also omit thousands of words from the New Testament? Did you know that the manuscripts that the KJB is based on come from Antioch, where the apostles had a church and where the originals would have been written? Doesn't the Bible usually talk bad about Egypt? Did you know that modern translations that are based on Aleph and B omit at least 16 verses from the Bible? (if they do not omit it out of the text, they will tell you in the footnotes that the verse does not belong there)

3.) Jesus said that the scriptures are what testify of Him (John 5:39), so wouldn't it make sense to believe the Bible that testifies of Christ the MOST?

Here is a checklist to see if you have the correct Bible:

A.) Does your Bible say that "God was manifest in the flesh" or that he appeared in a body" in 1 Timothy 3:16?

B.) Does your Bible teach that Jesus is omnipresent (everywhere at once) in John 3:13?

C.) Does your Bible say that we have redemption through Christ's blood in Colossians 1:14?

E.) Does your Bible say that man lives by the word of God in Matthew 4:4?

F.) Does your Bible say that Jesus was from "everlasting" in Micah 5:2 or does it say that He had "origins"?

G.) Does your Bible call Joseph the "father" of the Jesus or "Jospeph" in Luke 2:33?

H.) Does your Bible say that Jesus did not think it was robbery to be equal with God in Philippians 2:6 or does it say that He did not think He could grasp being equal with God?

I.) Does your Bible have a footnote saying that John 7:53-8:11 should not be there?

J.) Does your Bible have a footnote saying that the last twelve verses of Mark 16 should not be there?

K.) Does your Bible have the words "on me" in John 6:47?

L.) Does your Bible say that Lucifer fell from heaven in Isaiah 14:12 or does it say that Christ did? (morning star and dar star are names of Christ--2 Peter 1:19 and Revelation 22:16)

M.) Is your Bible copyrighted? The KJB text is not copyrighted.N.) Was your Bible authorized by a king? (Ecclesiastes 8:4)O.) How has America been used by God since the modern versions started appearing in the 1880's? Did the country have more "fruit" before or after the modern versions got popular? (Matt. 7:20)P.) Does your Bible say that the love of money is the root of all evil? (1 Timothy 6:10)Q.) Does your Bible warn you against false science? (1 Timothy 6:20)R.) Does your Bible say to "fear" God or to only have reverence for Him? (Eph. 5:21)S.) Who prospers you? (1 Corinthians 16:2)

T.) What did Stephen call Jesus in Acts 7:59? U.) How magnified is the word of God? (Psalms 138:2)V.) Who laid down His life for you? (1 John 3:16)W.) Does your Bible let you know that there are divisions in it? (2 Timothy 2:15)X.) Is the Bible "holy scriptures" or just "sacred writings" (2 Timothy 3:15)Y.) Is every word of God preserved? (Psalms 12:6-7)Z.) Jesus got angry (Mark 3:5). Is being a angry a sin or is it being angry "without a cause" that is a sin? (Matt. 5:22)

As you can see, the King James Bible is clearly better than any modern version. It testifies of Christ more than any other book (John 5:39). There are other problems with modern versions, but those are enough examples for now.

(A slightly edited version of a reply to a Church of Christ fellow that told me that Acts 2 was written to Gentiles after the dispensation of grace. Additional notes in blue font. )

Paul said that the gospel was that "Christ died for our sins" was buried and rose again (1 Cor. 15:1-4) and all who believed that gospel would be saved (Acts 13:38-39).

There is not a verse in Acts 2 where Peter said that Christ died for our sins. Peter said in Acts 3:19-26 that those Jews wouldn't get there sins blotted out until the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST and the "restitution of all things" at His kingdom. Peter also said that his preaching was all according to PROPHECY (Acts 2:16-21, 3:19-26).

Paul's gospel was a MYSTERY:

"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began," Rom. 16:25

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (1 Cor. 2:7-8)

Paul's gospel was distinctly Paul's and when it was given to him he became the pattern for believers:

"According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." 1 Tim. 1:11-16

Paul called his gospel "my gospel":

"In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." Rom. 2:16

"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began," Rom. 16:25

"Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:" 2 Tim. 2:8

Paul's gospel was a new revelation that Christ gave him, it was "not AFTER man". Paul did not preach his gospel after anyone else, he was the first one to preach it:

"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Gal. 1:11-12)

"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began" (Rom. 16:25)

Christ sent Paul to communicate this gospel to the 12 apostles at Jerusalem:

"Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain." (Gal. 2:1-2)

The gospel given to Paul is different from what was committed to the 12 apostles:

"But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)" (Gal. 2:7-8)

Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

Peter taught according to prophecy concerning Israel, that their sins would be blotted out at the 2nd Coming:

Acts 3:19-23 "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people."

1 Peter 1:3-10 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jer. 31:31-34)

"And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them." (Jer. 32:36-42)

"For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which are thrown down by the mounts, and by the sword; They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but it is fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in mine anger and in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city. Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it. Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast, The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down. In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel; Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually." (Jer. 33:4-18)

"For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded." (Ezek. 36:24-33)

Paul said that we did not have to wait until the 2nd coming like Israel does.

"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Rom. 5:9)

"And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." (Rom. 5:11)

"In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:" (Col. 2:11)

Paul said that the Gentiles (after the revelation of the mystery) were not part of Peter's salvation-at-the-2nd-coming group.

Romans 11:25-27 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. (Notice Paul makes it clear that Israel's plan of salvation will occur at the 2nd coming as it is written, but the mystery program that God has for the Gentiles has interrupted it. This is plainly contrary to what Peter said in Acts 3 which means Paul is writing about further revelation than what Peter had in Acts 2 and 3.)

You cannot reconcile Acts 2:38 with Acts 10:43-48, 15:7-11, Gal. 3:1-3, Gal. 3:14, and Ephesians 1:13* when they are simply contradictory if they are talking about the same people. They do not agree, but we know that scripture does not contradict itself (Prov. 30:5, Psa. 12:6, 119:140). Therefore we must "rightly divide the word of truth" as we are instructed in 2 Timothy 2:15.

[*Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:

[14] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:[15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:[16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)[17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:

[43] To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.[44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.[45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.[46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,[47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?[48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 15:

[7] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.[8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;[9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.[10] Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?[11] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Galatians 3:1-3 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, ]

Monday, January 26, 2015

Church of Christ teachings says that it is wrong to play instruments in church. This is because there is no mention of the the apostles in the New Testament playing any instruments. The problem with that argument is that the apostles also did not mention toilets, sinks, indoor baptisteries, individual communion cups, hymn books, printing presses for printing Bibles, and many other things that the "Church of Christ" uses.

What does the New Testament say about music? Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Colossians
3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Even though the Old Testament does not contain the revelations about the mystery, the present gospel and church of this dispensation (Eph. 3:1-9, Col. 1:24-28, Rom. 11:25, Eph. 5:23-32, Eph. 6:19, etc.); does that mean that the Old Testament does not apply today? NO! New dispensations do not destroy all the doctrine of the previous. Some of the Old Testament still applies today.....

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

What does the Old Testament say about instruments and singing?

Psalms 71:22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I singwith the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

Psalms 98:5 Singunto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

Psalms 144:9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

Playing instruments does not contradict the Revelation of the Mystery (dispensation of grace) and the doctrines thereof. Paul used instruments as an illustration (1 Cor. 13:1), I don't believe he would do that if instruments were a wicked thing (1 Thes. 5:22). God blows two trumpet blasts at the rapture of the Body (1 Thes. 4:16, 1 Cor. 15:52), if the "Church of Christ" is correct then God will be sinning for blowing the trumpet!

According to the Bible, the "Church of Christ" is clearly wrong on the matter of the use of musical instruments. (and pretty much everything else as well)

Isaiah 14:[4] That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased![5] The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.[6] He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.[7] The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.[8] Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.[9] Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.[10] All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?[11] Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.[12] How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations![13] For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:[14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.[15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.[16] They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;[17] That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

"Lucifer" (vs 12) is the KJB translation of the Hebrew word "hêlêl". The word "Lucifer" is one of the English words for Satan, the word itself being derived from the Latin bibles. The word as an adjective, as used in Isaiah 14:12, means "light bringing".

Satan falls from heaven as lightning and he also transforms himself into an angel of light (a false light).

Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

There are many angels of God, yet there is only one "THE angel of the Lord" and that is Jesus Christ (Gen. 48:16, Exod. 3:2-6, 23:20-23, 32:34, Acts 27:23, Gal. 4:14). There are many sons of God (Gen. 6:2-4, Job 1:6, 2:1), but there is only one "THE Son of God" (Dan. 3:25, John 20:31). There are many "morning stars" (Job 38:7, Rev. 1:20) but there is only one "THE bright and morning star" (Rev. 22:16, Num. 24:17, Mal. 4:2). At least that is how it is in the REAL Bible, the KJB. But look at how the modern perversions have freely given Christ's titles to Satan.

Note: Day Star is another one of Christ's names: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:" (2 Pet. 1:19)

AMERICAN STANDARD VERSION
Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O day-star, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, that didst lay low the nations!

AMPLIFIED
Isaiah 14:12 How have you fallen from heaven, O light-bringer anddaystar, son of the morning! How you have been cut down to the ground, you who weakened and laid low the nations [O blasphemous, satanic king of Babylon!]

COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE
Isaiah 14:12 How you’ve fallen from heaven,morning star, son of dawn! You are cut down to earth,helpless on your back!

COMPLETE JEWISH BIBLEIsaiah 14:12 “How did you come to fall from the heavens,morning star, son of the dawn?How did you come to be cut to the ground,conqueror of nations?

CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSIONIsaiah 14:12 You, the bright morning star,have fallen from the sky!You brought down other nations;now you are brought down.

EASY TO READ VERSIONIsaiah 14:12You were like the morning star,but you have fallen from the sky.In the past, all the nations on earth bowed down before you,but now you have been cut down.

ENGLISH STANDARD VERSIONIsaiah 14:12 “How you are fallen from heaven,O Day Star, son of Dawn!How you are cut down to the ground,you who laid the nations low!

EXPANDED BIBLE Isaiah 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven,·morning star[or day star; or shining one; still addressing the king of Babylon, though sometimes applied to Satan],·even though you were as bright as the rising sun [son of the dawn]!In the past all the nations on earth ·bowed down before you [or were laid low by you],but now you have been cut down.

GOD'S WORDIsaiah 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven, you morning star, son of the dawn!How you have been cut down to the ground, you conqueror of nations!

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION Isaiah 14:12 King of Babylon, bright morning star, you have fallen from heaven! In the past you conquered nations, but now you have been thrown to the ground.

HOLMAN CHRISTIAN STANDARD BIBLE
Isaiah 14:12 Shining morning star,how you have fallen from the heavens!You destroyer of nations,you have been cut down to the ground.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSIONIsaiah 14:12 “How you have fallen from heaven,Day Star, son of the Dawn!How you have been thrown down to earth,you who laid low the nation!

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSIONIsaiah 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven,morning star, son of the dawn!You have been cast down to the earth,you who once laid low the nations!

Friday, January 23, 2015

I believe that salvation is purely by grace through faith with the exclusion of all works such as water baptism, public confession, joining a church, and praying the "sinner's prayer".

The gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again three days later (1 Cor. 15:1-4, 1 Thes. 4:14, Col. 1:14, Eph. 1:7, Acts 20:28, 2 Cor. 5:14-6:2, etc.).

According to Ephesians 1:13, anyone who will trust Christ believing that gospel will be saved and sealed with the Holy Spirit until the redemption of the body (the rapture).

Ephesians 1:12-14 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 4:30-32 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

(Note: "day of redemption" and "redemption of the purchased possession" are referring to the redemption of the physical body of the believer according to Romans 8:18-24, 1 Corinthians 6:15-20, 15:51-58, Philippians 3:20-21. The soul of the believer is already redeemed according to Romans 3:24, Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 9:12, and Ephesians 1:7.)

Salvation is a "free gift", which means you do not have to do any works to get it.

Romans 5:[15] But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.[16] And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.[17] For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)[18] Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Salvation is by grace, which excludes all works....

Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Anyone who thinks that their works can earn them salvation are greatly mistaken, for it is impossible for a lost man to do good works. Unsaved people cannot please God by their works, every "good work" they try to do is denying God because they are doing it in the flesh rather than the Spirit.

Titus 2:15-16 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Romans 8:[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.[6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.[7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.[8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.[9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Works cannot earn us salvation and we cannot perform good works if we are lost.

In response to this doctrine of scripture, some people have told me that believing (faith) is a work itself. Is that true? NO! The Bible plainly states that believing is the exact opposite of working!

Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Ephesians 2:8-9 plainly states that faith is the opposite works!

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 3:27 plainly states that the law of works is the opposite of the law of faith. "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith."

Romans 10:4-5 says that the righteousness of the law was by DOING things while the end of the law was by BELIEVING on Christ. Obviously a contrast between works and faith. "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them."

However, Steve Finnell of "A Christian View" has told me that believing is a work. Why did he tell me that? Because of John 6:29, "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Why did the Lord say that the "work" of God was that ye "believe"? Obviously this contradicts the rest of the Bible, which plainly said that believing was not working. The answer to this problems lies in the CONTEXT of the passage.

John 6:[28] Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?[29] Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Jesus was simply answering the unbelieving Jews with their own terminology! Jesus didn't coin the phrase "This is the work of God, that ye believe", He was just answering the question with the same terminology, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"

Believing is NOT a work (Rom. 3:27, 4:4-5, 10:4-5, Eph. 2:8-9).

Water baptism is a work (Matthew 3:8, 15)

We are not saved by works, we are saved by grace (Eph. 1:7, 1:13, 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-7, 2 Tim. 1:9, Acts 13:38-39, Gal. 2:16-3:28, Rom. 4:4-5). You cannot be saved by grace and works (Rom. 11:6).

BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED (ACTS 16:31)

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (1 Cor. 15:1-4)

John 1:29 "....Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

Monday, January 19, 2015

Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

There are two adoptions for the believer. The first one is the adoption of sons when the Lord sends the Holy Spirit into the believer (Gal. 4:1-8, Rom. 8:14-19). When you get saved you are given the "Spirit of adoption" and are a son of God rather than a child of the devil, disobedience, and wrath (Eph. 2:1-5, John 8:44). Until you "received the Spirit of adoption" you were not "known of God" (Gal. 4:9, Rom. 8:15)

The second adoption is the "manifestation of the sons of God" (Rom. 8:19). This adoption is defined as "the redemption of our body" (Rom. 8:23, Eph 1:13-14, Eph. 4:30). Christ bought and paid for our soul, spirit, and BODY (1 Cor, 6:15-20). But the body is not saved when our spirit and soul get saved, it is "saved" by the "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13, Rom. 8:23-24, 2 Tim. 2:10), or "redeemed" (Eph. 1:13-14, Eph. 4:30). This adoption, the manifestation of sons, is something that all believers have been predestinated to experience from the moment they got in Christ (Eph. 1:5). That is the PRE-DETERMINED DESTINY of all believers.

Romans 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

We get conformed to the image of Christ as the rapture when our "vile body" is fashioned like unto the glorious body of Christ (1 Cor. 15:51-58, 1 Thes. 4:13-18, Phil. 3:20-21). The foreknowledge of God mentioned in Romans 8:29 is obviously a reference to God foreknowing the rapture/glorification of the saints at the rapture, that is the 2nd adoption. It cannot be a reference to the first adoption, the salvation of a sinner, because God did not know a person before they got saved according to Galatians 4:9.

Galatians 4:7-9 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Friday, January 16, 2015

[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ
by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the
faithful in Christ Jesus:[2] Grace be to you, and peace, from God
our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.[3] Blessed be the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Here
we have one of the great distinctions between the Church which is the
Body of Christ and Israel. The Body is blessed
with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

The only
guaranteed blessings of the saved believer today are #1 spiritual, #2
in heaven, #3 in Christ. This is unique to the Body (church), for
Israel did not have those blessings.

Here is Israel's
plan of blessing:

“And it shall
come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the
LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I
command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high
above all nations of the earth:”

“And all these
blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt
hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.”

“Blessed shalt
thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.”

“Blessed shall
be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit
of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy
sheep.”

Israel's
blessings were PHYSICAL/EARTHLY blessings that were not in heaven nor
spiritual. Israel's blessings were dependent on keeping the Law, “if
thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to
observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day”
(Deut. 28:1). The Body's blessings in heaven are dependent on being
saved. All believers are “joined unto the Lord”, “crucified
with Christ”, “buried with him”, “risen with him”,
“complete in him”, and we “sit together” in “heavenly
places” (Eph. 2:6, Col. 2:10-13, Gal. 2:16-21). How is this
possible? How can we be crucified with Christ? How can we be
“complete” in Christ? Well it is certainly not by any works that
we can do that we can obtain this position and blessing, for
Galatians 3:1-3 states “O
foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey
the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set
forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received
ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Are ye so foolish? having
begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”
No! We cannot be “made perfect by the flesh”, it is by the Holy
Spirit.

All believers were
“sealed with” and “baptized” by the the Holy Spirit when the
trusted Christ as their Saviour believing on the gospel of the grace
of God.

Ephesians
1:12-14 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first
trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that
ye believed, ye
were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the
purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

1
Corinthians 12:12-14 For as the body is one, and hath many members,
and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body:
so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one
body, whether we
be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all
made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but
many.

None
of us have been “made perfect by the flesh”, it was all by the
Holy Spirit. We have been sealed with and baptized by the Holy Spirit
and now, we are spiritually “joined to the Lord”. 1 Corinthians
6:15-17 says “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of
Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the
members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is
joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one
flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”
That is how you can be “crucified”, “buried”, and “risen”
with Christ. Because the Holy Spirit joined you to Him. There is no
way that a lost sinner dead in his sins could join himself to the
Lord by his own works! I am sorry to bust your bubble, but your water
baptism, confessing your sins, joining a church, and communion will
not put you in Christ. Only the Holy Spirit can do that (Eph. 1:13, 1
Cor. 12:12-14).

Look at what
spiritual blessings you have in Christ as given in Colossians
2:10-14.

“And
ye are complete in him,
which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are
circumcised with the circumcision made without
hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the
circumcision of Christ:
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him
through the faith of the operation of God,
who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins
and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he
quickened together with
him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting
out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to
his cross;”

As believers we
are “complete” in Christ. There is nothing that we can do to make
us better candidates for heaven. Our standing is “complete”. Not
because we are perfect, but because Christ is and our completion is
“in Him”.

As
believers we are “circumcised
with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of
the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ”.
The sins of our flesh were put off from us by “the circumcision of
Christ”. That is when Christ was “cut off” (Dan. 9:26), His
death. The blood of Jesus Christ cleansed us, putting away our sins.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness
of sins” (Col. 1:14). “the church of God, which he hath purchased
with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28). “And from Jesus Christ, who is
the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the
prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed
us from our sins in his own blood,” (Rev. 1:5) That is the “gospel
of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). Christ died for our sins and was
buried and rose again three days later (1 Cor. 15:1-4), anyone who
believes that will be “justified from all things” (Acts
13:38-39).

As
believers we have been “Buried
with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the
faith of the operation of God”.
We have been baptized “by one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13) and “joined
unto the Lord” (1 Cor. 6:15-17). His death became our death, His
burial became our burial, and His resurrection became our
resurrection.

As
believers we have been forgiven ALL trespasses. “and
you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all
trespasses” You know
the worst sin you have ever committed? The really bad one that you do
not want anyone to find out about? You know all the others sins you
have committed, are committing, and will commit? THEY ARE GONE. You
have been “forgiven ALL trespasses”. You have been “justified
from ALL things” (Acts 13:38-39). God “hath forgiven you” (Eph.
4:32).

As
believers you are dead to the Law.“Blotting
out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to
his cross” This is one
of the great blessings of being in the church which is the Body of
Christ. According to Galatians 2-6 and Romans 3-8, you are “not
under the law but under grace” (Rom. 6:14). Circumcision means
nothing, being a Jew means nothing, it is all “dung” (Phil.
3:1-9). While there us to not be salvation outside of the covenants
that God made with Israel (Eph. 2:12), “in Christ” none of those
things matter (Gal. 6:15, Phil. 3:9).

Those
are the types of “spiritual blessings” that you have in “heavenly
places in Christ”. We have not been guaranteed any type of physical
blessings. The theory that if you live right and serve God the way
you shoud, then God will bless you, is completely FALSE. The apostle
Paul was the greatest missionary that ever lived, yet he was always
in danger and suffering need (2 Cor. 11:23-27). Philippians 4:11-13
says, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have
learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know
both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in
all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to
abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.” There have
been a lot of good christians that suffered and were killed for
believing the Bible and preaching the gospel. There have been a lot
of Catholic priests that lived luxioursly with a lot of money and
nice possessions. Therefore how much nice stuff you have is not a
sign of spirituality. Those who are truly spiritual are content with
the grace of God and can be happy in any condition. God has
guaranteed you spiritual blessings, not that you would always have a
nice car, nice house, or anything like that. The apostle Paul is
living proof of that!

By
the way, anyone who says that you must tithe of your income or else
God will curse you is wrong. Tithing was an Old Testament practice
that most people do not know very much about.

What
does the Bible say about the "tithe"?

Here are
twenty points on "tithing" from Pastor David O'Steen of
Landmark Baptist Church:

"1.
The English word "tithe" means a tenth (compare Gen. 14:20
with Heb. 7:4). Most churches preach tithing as a means of supporting
their ministry. There are variations in how they teach this is to be
done. Some pay the local church one tenth of their income after taxes
and bills are paid; some pay before. Others demand tithing on
unemployment, inheritance, gifts, tax refunds, social security and
even gambling winnings. The tithing issue has caused a great deal of
strife and division in our churches over the years.

2.
Perhaps the most well known passage on tithing is Malachi 3:8-12.
This passage is the proof text for "Storehouse Tithing."
Simply stated, the congregation is exhorted to channel all of their
giving through the local church (storehouse). If they want to give to
a Christian organization, radio or television broadcast, etc., it
must go through their denominational machinery in order for the local
church to get "credit." Also the pastor and elders often
must make the determination if the cause supported by the giver is
"worthy."

3.
This use of the Malachi passage is a good example of Scripture being
taken out of its historical and dispensational context. "This
whole nation" in verse 9 is the backslidden nation of Israel,
NOT the present day church (Mal. 1:1; 3:6). They were under the law
of Moses as a system of conditional blessing (obey=blessed;
disobey=cursed). The blessings of keeping the law had to do with
Israel's LAND (3:11-12). Believers today are not under the law but
under grace (Rom. 6:14; 7:4-6). As such we have already been blessed
by God with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ
(Eph.1:3).

4.
This should put an end to the common charge that believers who don't
tithe are "robbing God" and will be "cursed with a
curse." God did not command us to tithe so how could we be
robbing Him by not doing what He never told us to do? We cannot be
cursed by the law for not tithing (Mal. 3:9) as members of the body
of Christ (Gal. 3:13). The storehouse mentioned in verse 10 is not a
local church but a storage bin or silo in the Jewish temple where the
grain from the Hebrew's tithes was stored (2 Chron. 31:4-12).

5.
Under the law only agricultural products were tithed. They included
grain, fruit, and livestock. Only products produced within the
boundaries of the land of Israel were to be tithed (Lev. 27:30-34).

6.
Others exempt from the tithing law included the hired hands,
fishermen, miners, lumber workers, construction workers, soldiers,
weavers, potters, manufacturers, merchants, government workers, and
priests. In short, all who were not farmers were exempt.

7.
A farmer with only 9 cattle did not tithe because the law specified
the "tenth which passeth under the rod." Likewise a farmer
with 19 sheep paid only 1 sheep to the Lord's tithe.

8.
The Jewish farmers in the land could redeem (buy back) the tithes of
their crops with a penalty of one fifth. In other words, if a farmer
wanted to keep his tithe of grain worth $1,000, he could pay the cash
equivalent of $1,200 (Lev. 27:31).

9.
Livestock could not be brought back nor could the farmer exchange a
good animal for a bad one or vice versa. Any attempt to substitute
any other animal other than the tenth which passed under the rod
would be penalized by the farmer forfeiting both the tenth and its
substitute (Lev. 27:33).

10.
God ordained the Levites to be the ones to whom the tithe was paid
(Num. 18:21). They were one of the 12 tribes of Israel to whom no
inheritance was given in the land. The Lord Himself and the tithes of
the children of Israel was their inheritance. It was used for the
service of the tabernacle (later the temple) (Num. 18:20-28).

11.
It was unlawful for anyone outside of the tribe of Levi to receive
the tithe, such as prophets, preachers, kings or evangelists.

12.
The Levites paid one tenth of their tithes to the high priest. Not
all Levites were priests but only the sons of Aaron. The priests did
not tithe.

13.
The Lord Jesus Christ did not ask for or receive a tithe for support
of His ministry. Being of the tribe of Judah (not Levi) He could not
without breaking the law (Heb. 7:14; Rev. 5:5).

14.
Neither Peter (not of the tribe of Levi) nor Paul (of the tribe of
Benjamin) could receive tithes for the support of their ministries.

15.
Even the Jews do not practice tithing today because there are no
Levites, priests, or temple worship in Jerusalem. Jewish rabbis know
biblical law well enough to know that tithing under the present
circumstances is unlawful. According to them, when the temple is
rebuilt in Jerusalem with a consecrated altar with priests and
Levites officiating, all Jews living within the biblical tithing
zones will tithe.

16.
Those that teach tithing is binding on believers today use the
argument that it predates Moses and the law. But this reasoning is
not valid, for the Sabbath also predates the giving of the law
(Ex.16:23-29) and yet it is not binding on God's people today (Rom.
14:5-6; Gal. 4:9-10; Col. 2:16-17).

17.
Abraham gave tithes to Melchisedec, king of Salem, but this was the
spoils of war, not the legalistic tithe of the land which Moses
commanded. Also, God did not command the tithe, Abraham chose to give
it of his own free will (Gen. 14:17-23; Heb. 7:1-10).

18.
The only other scriptural reference to tithing before Moses is Jacob.
Again there is no command to tithe. In fact Jacob puts up numerous
conditions to be met before he will pay the tithe to the Lord (Gen.
28:20-22).

We
cannot be cursed by the Law anymore. Christ redeemed us from the
curse of the Law and we are now under grace.

Galatians
3:

[12]
And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live
in them.[13] Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the
law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is
every one that hangeth on a tree:[14] That the blessing of
Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we
might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Romans
6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not
under the law, but under grace.

Some
people say that since Abraham tithed before the Law was given that we
should also tithe under grace. However, Abraham also circumcised and
offered animal sacrifices before the Law. To be consistent, our
tithing friends would also have to start performing those practices
as well. Here is the Bible method of giving under grace: “But
this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and
he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man
according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God
is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having
all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”
(2 Cor. 9:6-8)

[4] According as he hath chosen us
in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and
without blame before him in love:[5] Having predestinated us unto
the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the
good pleasure of his will,

Those two verses
there are what are known as the Calvinist proof texts. The Calvinist
view is that all saved people are God's “elect” and are “in
Christ” before the world began and that man does not have a
freewill to accept the gospel of Christ. Calvinism teaches that God
pre-selected (before the foundation of the world) all the people that
go to hell and all the people that will go to heaven. Nobody can
decide anything on their own. If you were one of the ones that God
pre-selected, then He will send His Spirit into you and cause you to
be born again and then AFTER THAT you will believe the gospel. But
that is completely contrary to scripture.

The Calvinist
brethren read Ephesians 1:4 as “According as he hath chosen
us before the foundation of the world”. But that is not
what the Bible says....it actually says “chosen IN HIM”. That
means that the condition on being “chosen...before the foundation
of the world” is by being “in Christ”.

There is no
scripture that says you were in Christ before the foundation of the
world. You have to get into Christ by believing the gospel before you
can be sealed and baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ. You must
be born again by believing on Christ trusting His death, burial, and
resurrection.

Ephesians
1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of
truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

John 1:11-13 He came unto his own, and
his own received him not. But as many as received him, to
them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that
believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the
will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Until you believe on Christ you are “of
your father the devil”, “in Adam”, “dead in trespasses and
sins”, “ye walked according to the course of this world”, “we
all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh,
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by
nature the children of wrath”, and “we were dead in sins” (Eph.
2:1-5, 1 Cor. 15:22, John 8:44). You were not a son of God before you
believed the gospel. You were not in Christ before you believed the
gospel. Those things are conditioned on whether you believe the
gospel of not (Eph. 1:13, John 1:11-13).

Our Calvinist friends will reply to
this and say “If you have to believe the gospel before you get
saved, then salvation is by works because believing is something that
you have to do yourself.” That sounds good at first, but the Bible
says that believing is not a work. Romans 4:5 “But to him that
worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly,
his faith is counted for righteousness.” Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us
that salvation is by faith, not of works. Therefore believing/faith
is not a work.

Predestination is according to God's
foreknowledge. Because God knew that you would trust Christ and
believe the gospel, He pre-determined that your destiny would be for
you “to be conformed to the image of his Son”.

Romans 8:29-30 For whom he did
foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image
of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he
called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also
glorified.

God pre-destinated people based on the
foreknowledge of their belief or rejection of the gospel. 2
Thessalonians 2:13-14 says “But we are bound to give thanks alway
to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from
the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the
Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our
gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
You were “chosen to salvation” “through belief of the truth”
when “he called you by our gospel”. God foreknew that you would
believe the gospel, He did not make you believe it and you were not
in Christ until you believed it.

The fact that you had to be “ADOPTED”
(Rom. 8:15, Gal. 4:1-9, Eph. 1:5) shows that you were not always in
Christ and that you were not always a son of God.

One more thing that the Calvinist
brethren do not know: there are different types of knoweledge in the
Bible. You can “know” what someone will do without actually
knowing the person and being related to them. You can KNOW someone's
action without knowing the person themself. God did foreknow that you
would believe the gospel, but He did not know you as one of His sons.

Galatians 4:

[1] Now I say, That the heir, as
long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be
lord of all;[2] But is under tutors and governors until
the time appointed of the father.[3] Even so we, when we
were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:[4]
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son,
made of a woman, made under the law,[5] To redeem them
that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of
sons.[6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth
the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.[7]
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then
an heir of God through Christ.[8] Howbeit then, when ye
knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no
gods.[9] But now, after that ye have known God, or
rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and
beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Before you got saved, you were not
known of God. The Calvinist teaching is in error.

[6] To the praise of the glory
of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.[7]
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Those
two verses prove that salvation can only be without our works (2 Tim.
1:9, Titus 3:5, Rom. 8:8, Eph. 2:8-9, Gal. 2:16-21, Gal. 3:1-3). If
we are saved by works then we cannot be saved by grace, but if we are
saved by grace we cannot be saved by works: “And if by
grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.
But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no
more work.” (Rom. 11:6).
Ephesians 1:6-7 prove this very well.

If we
are (in God's “grace”) “accepted in the beloved”, then we
cannot be accepted by ANY works, else that would nullify grace. We
cannot be accepted by water baptism, public confession, the sinners
prayer, or any other deeds. Believing the gospel is the only way to
have access to God's grace, and that is not a work (Rom. 4:5). We
have redemption and forgiveness through Christ's blood, not by water
baptism.

[8] Wherein he hath abounded toward
us in all wisdom and prudence;[9] Having made known unto us the
mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath
purposed in himself:[10] That in the dispensation of the fulness
of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both
which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:[11] In
whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the
counsel of his own will:

The
mystery of Christ's will is defined as “That in the dispensation of
the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in
him”. The Body of Christ will be caught up to meet the Lord in the
air (Phil. 3:20-21, 1 Thes. 1:10, 4:13-18), Israel will go through
the “time of Jacob's trouble” (Matt. 3:7, Jer. 30:1-24, 32:37) ,
Christ will come and rule the earth for 1,000 years (Jer. 31:31-34,
32:36-42, 33:4-18, Isa. 11:1-12, etc.), and then God burns up the
heavens and earth (2 Pet. 3:10-12) and will create a new heaven and a
new earth (2 Pet. 3:13, Rev. 21:1, Isa. 65:17, 66:22). Christ's
Kingdom will be gathered together serving Him and expanding forever.
No church splits, rebelling against the King, no more of any of that
stuff. It will be perfectly gathered together in Him with no more
division. Or as John puts it in Revelation 21:4, “God shall wipe
away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for
the former things are passed away.”

[12] That we should be to the
praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.[13] In whom ye
also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed
with that holy Spirit of promise,[14] Which is the earnest of our
inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto
the praise of his glory.

Verses
12-14 are some of the greatest verses in the Bible on salvation. In
fact, Ephesians 1:13 is my favorite verse in the entire Bible. These
verses prove that salvation is not by water baptism, praying the
sinners prayer, or any works of righteousness which we have done
(Titus 3:5).

“after that ye heard the word of
truth, the gospel of your salvation”
: What is the gospel? 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 “Moreover, brethren,
I declare unto you the gospel
which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein
ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I
preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered
unto you first of all that which I also received, how
that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that
he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the
scriptures:”

“in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise”
: At the moment you trusted Christ, believing the gospel, you were
SEALED with the Holy Spirit. No water baptism, no prayer, just simply
believing on Christ!

This
is a perfect explanation of Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

This
best part is, the SEAL of the Holy Spirit is permanent! The Holy
Spirit will not leave you, even if you grieve Him by walking after
the flesh. This seal is “the earnest of our inheritance
until the redemption of the purchased possession”.
The purchased possession being your body. Your body gets redeemed at
the rapture when it is changed and fashioned like unto the body of
Jesus Christ. After that you will not sin ever again. Your soul and
spirit have been saved/redeemed already, but your body has only been
purchased and is awaiting its redemption and salvation....

Romans
8:22-24 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth
in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also,
which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan
within ourselves, waiting
for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope:
but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he
yet hope for?

1
Corinthians 15:51-55 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all
sleep, but we shall all
be changed, In a moment,
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall
sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be
changed. For this
corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on immortality,
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is
swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where
is thy victory?

Philippians
3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look
for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who
shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his
glorious body, according
to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto
himself.

Titus
2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of
the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us,
that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a
peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Until
that day, we have the earnest of the Holy Spirit “until the
redemption” of our body. Ephesians 4:30 says this in plainer words:
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye
are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

[15] Wherefore I also, after I
heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the
saints,[16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of
you in my prayers;[17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and
revelation in the knowledge of him:[18] The eyes of your
understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of
his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in
the saints,[19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power
to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty
power,[20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from
the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly
places,[21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and
dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but
also in that which is to come:[22] And hath put all things under
his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the
church,[23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth
all in all.

There
is a lot of truth in those last few verses of Ephesians 1. Here we
see that we should pray for the spiritual growth of fellow brothers
in Christ (vs15-18). We should pray about “every thing” (Phil
3:4-7)

but
surely the spiritual growth of fellow saints should be on our
priority list.

It is
also important to notice that Paul said that we should know what is
the hope of Christ's calling and what the riches of Christ's
inheritance is (vs 18). Did you notice that it does not say “our
inheritance” and “our calling”? That is because we are “heirs
of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” according to Romans 8:17. We
earn fellow inheritance with Christ!

Verse
21 reminds us that we are now in a “present evil world” (Gal.
1:4) that is not our home and that we are looking for the world
“that..is to come”. That is why we are instructed not to “mind
earthly things” because our conversation is in heaven (Phil.
3:17-21).

Verses
22-23 prove that the Body of Christ is the universal organism of all
believers that are “joined to the Lord” “seated in heavenly
places in Christ” (1 Cor. 6:15-17, Eph. 2:6). Our Baptist Brider
friends teach that the Body of Christ is each individual local church
itself rather than the members. In other words, they teach that when
the members are not assembled locally then there is no Body of
Christ. That is not true, the “Body” is defined as “the
fulness of him that filleth all in all”.
It does not say “the fulness of him that filleth the local
building”. The Body is defined as Christ in INDIVIDUALS, not in a
building/assembly. In the Body there is “there is neither Greek nor
Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor
free: but Christ is all,
and in all.” (Col.
3:11) The Body is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col.
1:24-28). Therefore you get into this Body when Christ comes into you
by His Spirit joining you to the Lord (Eph. 1:13, 3:17, 4:30, Gal.
3:1-3, 4:1-9, Rom. 8:1-15, 1 Cor. 6:15-17), not when you assemble
with other believers. The Body is assembled in heaven and in Christ
(Eph. 2:6).